The government is considering a policy that would restrict the installation of conventional billboards at selected locations across the country, allowing only electronic advertising displays in areas where roadside structures obstruct motorists’ visibility.
Minister for Local Government Mahama Ayariga disclosed the proposal during an interview on the Citi Breakfast Show on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, explaining that the initiative forms part of broader efforts to address billboard congestion and improve road safety.
He said the Ministry was working towards a policy that would limit traditional advertising structures, particularly around roundabouts and road junctions, where the concentration of billboards could make it difficult for drivers to see approaching vehicles.
According to the minister, the concern extends beyond unauthorised advertising structures, as even billboards with official permits could contribute to the visibility problems the government wants to address.
Mr Ayariga explained that electronic billboards could help reduce the number of physical advertising structures because operators would be able to display multiple advertisements on a single screen rather than install several conventional billboards in the same area.
“Permitted for me is not an issue. The issue is that those billboards should not be there. We are in the process of reaching a conclusion that would allow only electronic billboards to be erected in certain areas. This is intended to reduce the number of billboards obstructing roundabouts and junctions,” he said.
The proposed restrictions are therefore intended to address roadside advertising clutter more broadly, rather than simply remove structures installed without the necessary authorisation.
Government Plans Engagement With Advertising Industry
Mr Ayariga said the Ministry was prepared to engage the Advertising Association of Ghana and consider proposals from industry stakeholders as part of the planned reorganisation of outdoor advertising.
He indicated that discussions with the association would help the government examine how billboard installations could be better regulated, particularly regarding their location and potential impact on motorists.
The minister also linked the proposed reforms to the country’s preparations for its 70th anniversary celebrations in March 2027, suggesting that the government wanted to make progress on the issue ahead of the milestone.
He said the Ministry remained open to recommendations from industry players as it worked towards finalising the policy.
Advertising Association Says 60% of Accra Billboards Are Illegal
The proposed changes come amid concerns about the number of unauthorised advertising structures in Accra.
The Advertising Association of Ghana has estimated that about 60 per cent of the approximately 10,000 billboards in the capital are illegal.
The association’s Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Ackah, disclosed the figure in an interview with Citi FM, saying the organisation had developed a blueprint aimed at sanitising the outdoor advertising industry.
He expressed the association’s willingness to work with the government to address the challenges facing the sector and improve compliance with the rules governing billboard installations.
The estimate highlights the scale of the regulatory challenge facing authorities, particularly in Accra, where outdoor advertising structures occupy prominent spaces along major roads and commercial areas.
The government’s proposed electronic-only approach in selected locations could introduce significant changes for advertising operators, including those who currently hold permits for conventional billboard installations.
However, the policy is still being developed, and details such as the specific locations to be affected, implementation arrangements, and the treatment of existing billboard structures have yet to be established.
